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If you're looking for a natural, affordable way to clean your home and enhance your laundry, you've probably come across articles telling you to use Borax and/or baking soda. Both products have been used for over 100 years and they even look quite similar. So what's the difference? And which should you use? Well, it depends on what you're planning on using them for. But first, let's look at the actual ingredients in these products.
Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate, which is a naturally occurring chemical compound with the formula of NaHCO3 (one sodium ion to one bicarbonate ion). Borax is the common name for the naturally occurring mineral sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na2B407-10H2O). It's found all over the world, including Chile, California, Bolivia, Tibet, Turkey and Romania.
Baking soda was first made commercially in 1846 and has been used in many different applications since, including cooking, cleaning and preserving. Borax was discovered in Death Valley in 1881 and has been sold commercially under the 20 Mule Team™ brand since 1981.
While chemically very different, both baking soda and Borax are all-natural alternatives to commercial cleaning products. They're both used to clean and deodorize. But there are a few differences. Below, we break down key differences about when to use each one.
Borax can be substituted by a number of natural ingredients, including vinegar, baking soda and coffee grinds. Many people substitute out Borax because of its harmful qualities. Borax has traditionally been a component of many cleaning solutions. It has been linked to some health and safety concerns. Many are wary of keeping it stocked in their cupboards, especially in a household with pets and children. Instead of using borax, natural ingredients can serve as suitable replacements. To make laundry detergent more effective, for example, replace borax with baking soda. In addition, baking soda and water can replace borax for a number of cleaning tasks, including cleaning fiberglass, porcelain and garbage pails. When one is seeking a deodorizer, they should look for vinegar. Vinegar can be used to freshen the home or can be added to a load of clothes for a fresh scent.
If you’ve been trekking through Tesco looking for borax, and you’ve been climbing the aisles in Asda searching for this talked about product, you’ve had a wasted journey because borax isn’t available to buy in the UK. But don’t lose hope, because here’s what you can use as an alternative to borax. Borax AlternativesBorax isn’t for everyone, and because you can’t actually buy it in the UK, here are some alternative products you should consider using instead… 1. Bicarbonate of sodaBicarbonate of soda is a great backup option to borax because it’s actually readily available in the UK, and it’s quite harmless. Unlike borax, which can sometimes cause issues like skin irritation. The perks of using bicarbonate of soda are:
What you can use bicarbonate of soda for:And the list goes on and on… Where can you pick up bicarbonate of soda?Most supermarkets in the UK stock bicarbonate of soda. You can try these places:
See our full list of where to buy bicarbonate of soda here. Let’s check out another alternative. 2. White vinegarWhite vinegar might not always be the most fragrant of cleaning products to use around your home, but it certainly can work wonders when it comes to getting rid of dirt. The perks of using white vinegar are:
What you can use white vinegar for:And as above, the list goes on and on for white vinegar. Where can you pick up white vinegar?As with bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar can be bought in most shops in the UK, so try out these places first:
See our full list of where to buy white vinegar for cleaning here. Of course, you can use both white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to clean goods – although you don’t mix them together, you use them one at a time during a cleaning routine. This will give an even better finish to whatever you’re washing! Check out our article here for more ways to clean by using bicarb and vinegar. Let’s check out another alternative to borax. 3. Borax SubstituteWhile the two names, ‘Borax’ and ‘Borax Substitute’ sound alike, they’re actually different products. The major difference between the two is the fact that Borax Substitute can be bought in the UK, while borax cannot. In addition to this, Borax Substitute is actually part of the sodium sesquicarbonate mineral compound group, whereas borax is from the chemical group borate. Borax Substitute is therefore a far kinder product to use around the home. Both products do however, have a similar pH level, and this is what makes them good for cleaning. The perks of using Borax Substitute are:
What you can use Borax Substitute for:
Where can you pick up some Borax Substitute?This product might not be stocked in every supermarket. You should look in these shops first:
You can also buy Borax Substitute online: Alternatively, you could hop onto Dri-Pak’s website to find a store that sells their goods near you. 6 Awesome Uses for Borax Substitute in Cleaning & Laundry1. Multi-Purpose CleanerLike borax itself, borax substitute does a great job at tackling all those cleaning tasks that you would normally use off-the-shelf multi-purpose cleaners for. To make a multi-purpose cleaner from borax substitute, simply mix it with water, lemon juice, or distilled white vinegar. This will create an abrasive multi-purpose cleaner that can tackle general cleaning tasks. 2. Cleaning ToiletsAnother nasty task that borax substitute can be used to tackle is the toilet. Rather than spending lots of time scrubbing the bowl with a brush, simply add a handful of borax substitute to the toilet bowl and let it sit overnight. The next morning, give the surfaces a gentle, quick scrub with the brush, and flush away the residue. 3. Laundry BoosterBorax substitute is an effective addition to your typical laundry routine for multiple reasons. One is that it will help to remove stains from your clothing and make white garments brighter. Another is that it actually helps to soften water, which will make your detergent more effective, even at low temperatures. To benefit from borax substitute in the wash, simply add two teaspoons to your detergent drawer along with your regular detergent. 4. Stain RemoverWhether it is in clothing, curtains, or other machine-washable soft furnishings, borax substitute can be used to remove stubborn staining. Simply mix just enough water into borax substitute to make a paste. Rub the paste onto the stain, and leave to soak in. Wipe the excess paste away, then wash the item as normal. 5. Carpet CleanerIn terms of a dirty carpet, mix half a cup of borax substitute with two cups of water. Work the mixture into the dirty carpet, and leave it to work for thirty minutes. Use a damp cloth to remove most of the paste, then vacuum the carpet well once it has dried. Before getting started on a large area, test a small area of the carpet in an inconspicuous place to test for colour fastness. 6. Carpet FreshenerIf your carpets just smell a little musty and you want to give them a lift, you can do so with borax substitute. Simply sprinkle it over the carpet, leave it for ten minutes, and vacuum thoroughly. ConclusionSo, borax cannot be bought in the UK, but there are alternative products you could try instead. The products listed above will work wonders around your home and they’re all fairly safe to use. But, keep in mind that sometimes cleaning can take an age if you’re dealing with old and difficult stains – so, don’t expect to see miracles, be patient and work with your chosen alternative. Remember to always follow the instructions on the packaging of a product before you use it. And keep cleaning goods away from kids. Bethan has a passion for exploring, reading, cooking and gardening! When she’s not creating culinary delights for her family, she’s concocting potions to keep her house clean! |
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